7 Amazing Reasons You Should Start Running
- James Bowers III
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
Vocabulary Review
Jog (n.) - a slow paced run.
Example: Mary likes to jog through Central Park on Sunday mornings before going to the cafe.
Sharp (adj.) - intelligent or quick to understand.
Example: The chess player had a very sharp mind and could think many moves ahead.
Stimulates (v.) - encourages something to grow, develop, or become active.
Example: Listening to music often stimulates my imagination.
Wake up on the wrong side of the bed (idiom) - to start the day in a bad mood for no particular reason.
Example: He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning because he has been unfriendly all day.
Antidepressants (n.) - medicines used to treat and reduce the symptoms of depression.
Example: The doctor prescribed antidepressants to help improve her mood.
Tempt (v.) - to make someone want to do or have something, especially something they should avoid.
Example: The smell of the fresh bread from the bakery always tempts me to stop and buy a loaf.
Diet (n. & v.) - the kinds of food that a person or community habitually eats.
Example: The doctor advised him to change his diet to include more fruits and vegetables.
Chain reaction (n.) - a series of events, where each event causes the next one.
Example: One mistake led to a chain reaction of problems that ruined the whole project.
Complex (adj.) - difficult to understand or deal with because it has many different parts.
Example: Learning a new language with a different alphabet can be a very complex task.
Concentrate (v.) - to focus all one's attention on a particular object or activity.
Example: Please be quiet so I can concentrate on my homework.
Drop a few pounds (idiom) - to lose a little bit of weight.
Example: I started walking every day because I wanted to drop a few pounds before my vacation.
Complexion (n.) - the natural color and appearance of a person's skin, especially on the face.
Example: She has a clear and smooth complexion because she drinks a lot of water.
Decline (n. & v.) - a gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value.
Example: The decline in the stock market worried many investors.
Circulation (n.) - the movement of blood around the body from the heart.
Example: The doctor recommended moving around every hour to improve blood circulation in the legs.
7 Reasons you should start running
Running is one of the most popular sports, yet most people only think of the obvious benefits, like losing weight or having a healthier heart. While those are definitely true, the most powerful advantages of running happen inside your head. You might be surprised to learn that a simple jog around your neighborhood can be the key to becoming a faster learner, a sharper thinker, and a happier person.
If you’ve ever wanted to level up or live life to the fullest, then the solo-sport of running may be just what you need. Running is a scientifically proven way to boost your brain power and transform your habits (and your life). Let’s take a look at the top ways that an easy run can change your life!
Number one:
you become a faster learner!
When you consider the possible benefits of running and exercise, improved learning might not be the first thing you think of. Numerous studies over the years have observed strong connections between regular running and improved learning abilities. This is primarily due to the fact that running (and exercise in general) stimulates the growth of fresh grey matter in the brain, which results in thousands of new brain cells after only one month of running! So if you feel like you aren't smart enough to learn calculus or become a native level English speaker, then put your sneakers on, pop your earbuds in, and get running.
Number two:
Running instantly boosts your mood and relieves neurotic symptoms
If you’ve ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed, or just feel like the day is not turning out as you had planned and feel a little down, scientists say you should go for a quick 30-minute run. A variety of studies have found that after only 15 to 35 minutes of running people are in a significantly better mood and depressive thoughts and symptoms disappear. In fact, some studies have even observed that running is more effective than antidepressants. When you run, your brain releases natural chemicals such as endorphins, which relieve pain and boost your mood, endocannabinoids, which create the feeling of "runner's high," and the happiness hormones like dopamine and serotonin
Number three:
Running makes you more productive
A study from the International Journal of Workplace Health Management in 2008 even found significant links between exercise and productivity and attitude. The Study showed that employees who exercised before work were much happier, more productive, and had a more positive attitude about their job. This study concluded that employees were much less productive and focused and were 2 times more likely to report feelings of tiredness, sadness, and dissatisfaction on days that they did not exercise for at least 45 minutes, but the opposite was true on days that they did exercise.
Number four:
You will choose healthier lifestyle habits
It’s probably not surprising, but when you run, sweat, and do something healthy for your body, your mind will want to continue this positive behavior. After only one day of exercise, people are much more likely to choose healthier food options and feel less tempted to choose fatty, sugary, or processed snacks. This effect is often called a "halo effect" and it influences more than just your diet. Studies show that running encourages better sleep habits and even motivates people to study more and make smarter life choices. Once you begin, running creates a chain reaction of healthy choices that makes it easier to live the life you want.
Number five:
You will become more focused
After a month of running, most people will see a significantly improved ability to focus and pay better attention to small details. Multiple studies of participants who continued to run for 30 days have shown that they are better able to focus continuously in mentally challenging tasks. One study even found an amazing 70 percent improvement in complex decision-making skills among regular runners! This happens because running increases blood flow to your brain, making it easier for you to concentrate on your boss's instructions, study for your next English exam, or manage your busy daily schedule.
Number six:
You will become more attractive
You may have guessed that running can help you drop a few pounds and make you look thinner, but running will make you more attractive than just that. Exercise, in general, leads to better, brighter skin and less acne or pimples, giving you a better overall complexion. It also improves your posture, helping you stand taller and look younger. This is because running strengthens the core muscles that support your spine. So, while running certainly helps with your physical appearance, the boost to your confidence and the healthy glow you get are what truly make you look and feel your best.
Number seven:
Healthier body, longer life
Running is one of the best things you can do to protect your long-term physical and mental health. Running helps to significantly lower your risk of serious illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and cataracts. More simply, running also reduces the risks of dying early! Additionally, regular exercise is a powerful defense against mental diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and age-related mental decline. By strengthening your heart, improving blood circulation, and keeping your mind sharp, running helps ensure that you can stay healthy and enjoy a long, active life.
Questions:
Which benefits of running do you think are most surprising?
Which benefit do you find most appealing?
Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? What do you do to feel better?
If you could learn 10 times faster, what would you like to learn first?
What kind of bad food or habits tempt you the most?
Besides running, what else can you do to stay focused during the day?
What can you do or what can you avoid to improve your complexion?
What do you think are some other ways to prevent age-related decline?
The article is very positive about running, but can you think of any reasons why running might not be good for some people?
What are some strategies to be more productive?
Do you prefer solo sports or team sports?
Has technology made it easier or more challenging to live a healthy lifestyle?
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